The Extravaganza was in full swing and Janice was talking amiably with her new friends when all of a sudden, the ground shook and a shattering sound was heard by all. A platinum light descended from the eclipse in the sky, and ponies backed away, including the Princesses. Maestro cursed. “Maldiciones! Por qué tengo que estar en lo cierto acerca de esto?” The light touched the stage, and started to coalesce into a large form. When the light faded, the ponies gasped in shock.
On the stage was a stallion taller than Celestia, with gray fur than shone like steel with darker gray stripes. His right foreleg ended in a silver scaled dragon claw, while his left ended in a griffon talon. His bronze eyes were crystalline draconic, and his spiky black, white, and gray mane and tail blew in an unseen wind. His left back hoof was cloven, and his right was not. He sported three pairs of wings, one pair had feathers like that of a pegasus, another was leathery like that of a thestral, and the last was insectile like that of a flutterpony or changeling. He also bore fins of a seapony. His cutie mark was of a total solar eclipse and total lunar eclipse together. Then, his words shook the earth with their sheer volume. “Gaudete, populo meo! Nam tibi iure rex redierit!” The ponies started to murmur uncertainly with confusion, for nopony had spoken Latin in around 1500 years. However, the stallion saw their confusion, and spoke again, this time in clear Old Equish. “Again, I say rejoice! For I, your rightful King, have returned! Bow before mine majesty and might!”
The ponies understood that sentence clearly, and started to murmur in hostile tones directed toward this “King.” Then, Celestia spoke. “Father. I see that you have returned 2000 years after the start of your exile. Have you seen the error of your ways?”
The “King” then turned to face Celestia and Luna. “Ah, mine traitorous daughters. I see you’ve changed the minds of these simple folk to worship you in mine place. You always were rebellious to mine rule, and I see that you wish not for me to reclaim mine rightful place! However, your days of ruling my nation are over!” His horn then glowed a platinum white. “Your insubordination will not be tolerated any longer!” The Princesses tried to protect themselves using their magic, but in a flash of platinum magic, they both disappeared.
The ponies gasped at this, and Melia shot into the air. “Who do you think you are, and what have you done with the Princesses?”
The “King” then spoke. “Who am I, you ask, creature of the night? Have the histories of mine rule of this nation been so utterly erased that you do not recognize your King? As for what I’ve done with mine traitorous daughters, I-”
Maestro Spectrum then stepped forward. “You’ve sealed them away, haven’t you, Dark King Eclipse?”
At this, the ponies gasped, and the “King” narrowed his gaze. “Yes, I have. However, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t refer to me by that accursed title! I am King Eclipse, rightful ruler of Equestria, and you will all bow to me!”
Then, Zecora stomped a hoof. “You may think that Equestria’s throne is your rightful place, but none of us will bow to you, no matter our race!”
Cloudkicker then cut in. “I’ve read some of what the stories said you’ve done, and I won’t yield to a cruel tyrant!”
Roseluck nodded. “It was also said unfair taxes were brought upon ponies under your rule! Frankly, I’d rather not live through that!”
Concerta sang. “Though your rule may’ve been true~, We’ve no want to follow you~!”
Janice then piped up. “Bring us back our Princesses! Bring me back my mentors!”
King Eclipse chuckled, and using his magic, he brought Janice towards him. “Your devotion to mine daughters is admirable, foolish girl, but misguided. If you denounce them now, child, I can grant you a far more complete lesson plan than they offered you, and ascend you to my side. What say you, Kirin?” The ponies gasped at that, all but Maestro.
Janice spat in King Eclipse’s face. “I’d rather die than betray my teachers! Go rot in Tartarus!”
With a flick of his horn, King Eclipse tossed Janice back to the crowd to harm her, but Melia caught her mid-air and Janice nodded her thanks. “Very well, you foolish foal! When our rule is fully reinstated, you will be the first to die, Kirin!” Pointing a dragon claw forward, he swayed his right foreleg back and forth. “So let it be written, so let it be done!” Then, a peal of thunder boomed. In a flash of platinum magic, King Eclipse disappeared. Then the murmuring started up.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
“Maybe we should have surrendered! Then perhaps he would spare us his wrath!”
“He called The student of the Princesses a Kirin. Could that possibly be true?”
“Why is this happening? This was supposed to be a celebration!”
Janice then spoke. “Maestro, what are we supposed to do to stop this? For that matter, can we stop this?”
He then looked at the other friends Janice had made that had made a stand against the Dark King. “There is a way that we can defeat him, but it’s a long shot. C’mon, we’re going to the Everfree Forest!” Maestro then started running.
“Maestro! Wait!” As Janice called out, she started after him, her friends following close behind. If they actually take into account what the Dark King called me then… She looked back at them for a second. ...they might desert me after this… and I don’t want that. She looked forward again, and continued onwards. If Melia’s save means anything, then I can at least count on her devotion to see me through to the end. If Janice was right about where Maestro was going, then devotion was something they couldn’t do without.